I've been looking at VW lately and I think golf might be too small but the Jetta looks good.
Can anyone give me more detailed review our personal experience?
It is TDI 103KW 2L 2011 model I'm looking at.
200,000km mostly highway.
I've read mixed reviews about the DSG & DFP?
THANKS GUYS, I've never owned VW before.
Well I've got limited $
Then an older, 200,000km VW definitely isn’t for you…
anything over 200,000km you should be looking for a toyota
@Willco88: Try closer to 15k that's the standard. Anyway, high kilometer cars require regular maintenance and replacement of parts just to keep up and running and a previous service history is essential.
@perhaps: A falcon should be ok for 300k if it hasn’t been flogged and has a good service history. Most people I know got around 350k before they needed any major work.
If you've got limited money throwing it into a money pit wont solve your problems :(
Thought VW was good
@Willco88: For this car the engine will most likely be fine since it's the TDI. But you'll have to think about replacing a lot of other parts (such as the suspension), whilst making sure the car has a full service history (preferably VW dealer or reputable place) otherwise don't touch it.
@perhaps: Absolutely this… if it doesn’t have up to date and a regular service history, walk away.
And for VW (and most Euro trash wagons) I wouldn’t trust the service history if it has “Kmart Auto” or “Jax” stamps all through it.
Jetta is the same size as a golf, but a sedan. The diesels are reliable, the DSG that goes with the diesels is the 6 speed wet clutch, which is also reliable, assuming the DSG oil and filter is changed every 60k. Great fuel economy.
Thank you somebody who is not biased against VW
Confirmation bias much?
Get a Camry or corolla.
But muh euro badge
Sorry too basic
If you haven’t got much money and you can’t manage basic repairs yourself that’s exactly what you want.
Did you fix the clutch on your wrx yet?
Expensive taste and limited $.
This is going to work out great!
Basic interior, cheap plastic
Cheap plastic is better than paying for repairs.
We used to own a used veedub with <100kms. We finally sold it for 1/2 of what we paid for it after three major repairs in two years.
Nice looking interior with heated seats and the works, but turd craftsmanship.
What engine and trans? If op was suggesting a petrol with dry clutch auto I would suggest to run, however he has chosen a very reliable combo.
what is the asking price ?
If it’s a near 10yo VW with 200,000+km… anything above “free to good home” is too much.
Oooh we've got a sassy one here ;)
Check out the price of 2.0L TDI engines. You can't give them away, as they just keep going.
200,000KM….. are you serious?
You aught not be considering cosmetics but mechanics.
200,000km hahah
The only difference in size between a Jetta & a Golf is the boot space and subsequent length of vehicle.
If you are looking at Jettas you may as well look at Skoda Octavias too. They are even more practical.
DSG is the DQ250 wet clutch 6 speed. By 2011 they were a good unit but they do need to be serviced every 60,000km (max) and I would prefer every 45k. A lot of people don't do this as many service centres charge way too much for the job. In the back of my mind I recall the 103tdi had a torque converter auto briefly but that might have just been Skoda in the early 2007/2008 period).
At 200k the engine will be well beyond the point where the EGR is likely to clog & the inlet ports are carboned. If this hasn't been done then count on some messy DIY or a large bill at the mechs.
I can't remember if the 2011 had a DPF but the soot level can be checked with VCDS or OBD11.
The turbo will be in its' twilight years too.
VWs definition of "lifetime" is 6-10 years. Sure they can last a long way beyond that (a lot of the 1.9PD engines get way beyond 500k km) but they need some love to get there.
My Octavia is pretty good for 195k km / 12 years but it does require a chunk of money thrown at it every year or 2. Also it's made in CZ and I think the Jetta is Mexico which I believe isn't quite the same quality.
If you like the car and think it is good value (is it around $3k-$5k?), buy it but expect to spend $500/year on scheduled servicing and another $500+ on corrective maintenance - every year (unless you are handy with automotive DIY).
I wouldn’t start my VW experience with a 200,000km, used 2011 diesel… with DSG and DPF. You’ll turn into a forum regular with that vehicle.